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| "Hey, can you get me a cheeseburger? I'll love you for a day." |
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[WARNING: Before jumping to any conclusions, please read this entire blog entry for proper context.]
This blog entry is a follow-up to last week's entry, "Prayer as a Cop-Out...?".
While many people may be quick to pray and not get involved (when in their power to do so), the opposite extreme is also common: people not praying enough. Or, specifically, treating God as a "friend of convenience", a person who's only treated as a "friend" when someone wants something from them.
And I think many of us have been guilty of this before.
This blog entry is a follow-up to last week's entry, "Prayer as a Cop-Out...?".
While many people may be quick to pray and not get involved (when in their power to do so), the opposite extreme is also common: people not praying enough. Or, specifically, treating God as a "friend of convenience", a person who's only treated as a "friend" when someone wants something from them.
And I think many of us have been guilty of this before.
What would our relationship with God be without prayer? It's how we connect with God in an ongoing relationship, which goes beyond just, "Yeah I know that man, He saved me". Neglecting to pray is like claiming you're good friends with that really cool guy next door but having only spoken to him once in your life and never bothering to give him a call, ever.
Or, as many also very often do, only giving him a call at the last minute or when it's convenient.
Imagine if your circle of friends only called you up when they want something from you. Not to connect with you or spend time with you or even get to know you. They only seem to acknowledge your existence when something bad is happening, and they expect you to fix it. And when the problem is gone, they go back to ignoring you.
Think that sounds extreme? Then you aren't familiar with the book of Judges, in which we read about a long repeating cycle that goes something like this:
- God's people cry out to God for freedom from oppression.
- God appoints a leader (or judge) and instructs them on what to do.
- With godly favor, their enemies are defeated and everyone celebrates victory and deliverance. Peaceful times!
- The people forget about God and all that He's done for them, and they choose their own way or worship idols.
- Oppression comes knocking at their door again.
- Rinse and repeat.
While prayer may involve requesting help (and He knows our every need), that's not the only thing prayer is about. Our relationship with God also depends on prayer, speaking to Him and spending time with Him regularly. Not just asking Him to fix our problems but also for Him to lead us, teach us, and show us how to honor Him. Choosing to only call on Him when there's a major problem or when you want something would be treating Him like a vending machine or a genie rather than a glorious Heavenly Father who we serve out of love (because He first loved us).
I personally know all too well what it's like to be treated like a convenience—only having my existence acknowledged when someone wants something from me, or always expects me to be available to fix their problems like a scapegoat, yet leave me hanging when I'm the one in need. That kind of one-sided treatment is mentally draining and can lead to compassion fatigue or burnout, which interferes with our calling to help others in need.
If you'd rather be treated as an actual person and not a vending machine, then treat others the same way. In the same way, pray and spend time with God like you would a loving relationship with the one family member who'll always love you and never let you down. Yes, do call on Him anytime, anyplace, anywhere, but not just when things are bad. And don't forget to thank Him for all He's done.
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Curious Questions to Consider:
Do you think prayer is sometimes used as a convenience?
Was there a time when you've prayed as a last resort or only when you really wanted something?
How often do you spend time with God (in prayer, bible study, etc.)?
Have you ever been treated like a friend of convenience?
Have you ever experienced compassion fatigue or burnout? If so, how did it make you feel? How did you deal with it?
Do you think prayer is sometimes used as a convenience?
Was there a time when you've prayed as a last resort or only when you really wanted something?
How often do you spend time with God (in prayer, bible study, etc.)?
Have you ever been treated like a friend of convenience?
Have you ever experienced compassion fatigue or burnout? If so, how did it make you feel? How did you deal with it?
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Leave your thoughts in the comment section below. Feel free to share your own stories, experiences and insight in relation to the topic.
Be sure to be respectful and considerate of your word choice in regards to whatever details you choose to share. We're not here to gossip or backstab. Refrain from using specific names. Do not use this topic as an excuse to bash on those who may agree or disagree on certain views regarding prayer. No flame wars. Please keep it clean and civil.
God bless and thanks for sharing!
Be sure to be respectful and considerate of your word choice in regards to whatever details you choose to share. We're not here to gossip or backstab. Refrain from using specific names. Do not use this topic as an excuse to bash on those who may agree or disagree on certain views regarding prayer. No flame wars. Please keep it clean and civil.
God bless and thanks for sharing!
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Author's Notes:
Cover image courtesy of Lukas.
(Written on March 22, 2020.)
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I've used prayer as a convenience tool before. I'd live the way I want and whenever I fell sick, I'd return to God. It was half-assed and I don't think I really knew God. Now it's better. I'm still struggling to make a consistent routine but I earnestly desire to know God better.
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